ABS & Co secured a major victory for Fizza Developers in relation to its dispute with Essem Hotels arising from the Employer’s repudiatory breach of the construction contract for a 5-star hotel in Islamabad.
Fizza Developers entered into a contract for the construction and development of an international five-star hotel in Islamabad with Essem Hotels for a contract price of Rs. 2,550,000,000. The contract was signed on 21st January 2008. The disputes arising under the contract were referred to two arbitrators; Mr. Sheikh Riaz Ahmed and Mr. Karamat Ullah Chaudhary. The arbitrators rendered their respective awards after recording evidence and hearing the parties. However, the awards rendered by the arbitrators did not dispense with the matter conclusively since they were unable to concur on the findings. The parties then agreed to send the matter to Justice (R) Qadeer Ahmed Khan who was appointed as an umpire with consent.
After hearing both sides, the umpire rendered an award of Rs. 715,456,000 to Fizza Developers. ABS & Co represented the contractor before the umpire and successfully procured the award. The team was led by Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Bakhtawar Bilal Soofi and Samar Masood.
